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Method and apparatus for optimizing a currency validator/dispenserRelated Patent Categories: Check-actuated Control Mechanisms, Control Mechanism Actuated By Check, Other Than Coin (e.g., Slug, Token, Card, Etc.), Which Is Mutilated Or Retained, By Pliant Currency (e.g., Dollar Bill, Etc.), Including Light Sensitive Testing DeviceMethod and apparatus for optimizing a currency validator/dispenser description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060219516, Method and apparatus for optimizing a currency validator/dispenser. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a currency validator/dispenser where the unit temporarily stores banknotes or other currency received for payment as change in a future transaction. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A banknote validator/dispenser is disclosed in our earlier U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,473 and has a series of three banknote accumulators which cooperate with a banknote dispenser unit for providing the appropriate change for a transaction. Banknotes received for payment are processed by the validator to authenticate the banknotes and a controller in the unit determines whether the received banknotes should be stored for future use. Typically, each of the banknote accumulators stores a single denomination of banknotes. [0003] The currency validator/dispenser of the present application as well as disclosed the banknote validator/dispenser in our earlier patent is in contrast to other systems which do not recycle banknotes provided to the unit during normal transactions to make them available to be returned as change for a future transaction. Some systems allow an operator to basically load the combination validator banknote dispenser with certain banknotes for dispensing as change but these systems do not allow recycling of banknotes between loading operations. [0004] With combination banknote validator/dispenser which allow for recycling of banknotes the normal accepted practice is for an operator to assign each banknote accumulator such that it accumulates a single denomination of banknotes. The control system for the unit monitors each of the accumulators and monitors the received banknotes and appropriately directs banknotes received for payment of a transaction and determines whether any of these banknotes should be stored in any of the accumulators for future dispensing. The control system will know the capacity of each of the accumulators and appropriately make decisions with respect to the storage of the banknotes. It is also possible for this control system to recognize that although a certain banknote has been authenticated the quality of the banknote may be somewhat questionable and determined not to be appropriate for accumulation. These banknotes are directed to a banknote cassette or other storage unit and such banknotes are not available for recycling. [0005] Similarly if a banknote is received that is not of a denomination that is being accumulated it is directed to the banknote cassette. Banknote validator/dispensers with a number of accumulators have the advantage of being capable of accepting payment for more transactions due to the banknotes accumulated from payments and available for dispensing as change. These units cannot accept payment based on inputted banknotes if the unit is not capable of providing the appropriate banknote change to the user. The probability of being able to provide the appropriate banknote change increases with the number of accumulators present. [0006] It has been found that different banknote accumulators experience different conditions and it is difficult for operators to predict the most appropriate banknote value allocations for the banknote accumulators. Furthermore, it is difficult for an operator to predict whether any change in the allocation would improve the performance of the unit. [0007] The present invention seeks to improve the performance of banknote validator/dispensers by more effective control of the accumulators of such units. This improved performance is also applicable to coin changers where different values of coins are stored and/or rejected. Therefore, although the theory of operation is described with respect to banknotes and the assignment of the denomination of banknotes to be stored, it is equally applicable to coin changers and the determination of denominations of coins to be stored and adjusted based on the actual experience. This application has particular application where the currency has some coins of significantly higher value. The system can be used for varying the accumulated denominations of a combination of coins and banknotes. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0008] A currency validator/dispenser machine according to the present invention comprises a currency validator for receiving currency for payment, at least two currency accumulators cooperating with said validator and temporarily receiving and storing currency for dispensing as change for transactions, a currency dispenser operatively connected to each banknote accumulator to dispense currency provided thereto by said currency accumulators, a computer control module for storing currency receipt and dispensing transaction history information and using said history information for statistical analysis and model forecasting, each currency accumulator having an assignable currency denomination that determines the denomination of currency to be accumulated therein, the computer control module analyzing said transaction history information and based on the analysis reassigned the assignable currency denomination of at least some of the accumulators in response to the actual transaction history information of the validator/dispenser machine. [0009] According to an aspect of the invention, the currency accumulators are banknote accumulators. [0010] According to an aspect of the invention the at least two currency accumulators are at least 3 banknote accumulators. [0011] In a further aspect of the invention the computer control module includes a forecasting procedure that makes a prediction of the performance of the validator/dispenser machine during a transition period associated with a change in the assigned denomination of the banknote accumulators. [0012] In a further aspect of the invention the predicted performance of the validator during the transition period is a factor used by the validator/dispenser machine to determine whether a change in assigned denomination should occur. [0013] In a different aspect of the invention the at least two banknote accumulator is at least 3 banknote accumulator and the computer control module controls the combination of banknotes to be dispensed as part of a transaction in a manner to maintain the ability of the machine to be capable of dispensing change for future transactions. [0014] In another aspect of the invention the computer control module maintains information regarding the banknotes accumulated in each accumulator and uses this information in determining the combination of banknotes to be dispensed. [0015] In a further aspect of the invention the computer control module also includes logic for rejecting a particular transaction due to a determined reduced capability of the banknote validator/dispenser machine to dispense banknotes necessary for future transactions. [0016] In an aspect of the invention the computer control module includes logic for determining a preferred combination of banknotes to be dispensed for a given transaction based on the actual banknotes accumulated in the accumulators. [0017] Preferably the at least 3 banknote accumulators is at least 4 banknote accumulators. [0018] In a different aspect of the invention the computer control module determines the combination of banknotes to be dispensed in a manner to maintain where possible the accumulators at a target fill level based on the number of banknotes in each accumulator relative to the banknotes maintained in the other accumulators. With this system the target fill level for each accumulator can be set as a ratio relative to the other accumulators. Equal filling of each accumulator for example 1:1:1 for three accumulators or proportional filling for example 2:1:1 can be set. These fill ratio can be set by the operator or can be automatically set by the control module based on analysis of the actual experience. [0019] A banknote validator/dispenser machine according to the present invention comprises a banknote validator for receiving banknotes for payment, at least three banknote accumulators cooperating with the validator and temporarily receiving and storing banknotes for dispensing accumulated banknotes as change for transactions, a banknote dispenser operatively connected to each banknote accumulator to dispense banknotes provided thereto by the banknote accumulators, a computer control module for storing banknote receipt and dispensing transaction history information and using said information for statistical analysis, the computer control module using the statistical analysis for determination of the combination of banknotes to be dispensed as change for said transactions taking into consideration the ability of the validator/dispenser machine to be capable of accepting future transactions. [0020] A banknote validator/dispenser machine in a preferred aspect of uses the computer control module to control the operation of the banknote accumulators based on the actual banknote transaction history of the validator/dispenser machine and includes a forecasting model of future performance of the machine. [0021] In an aspect of the invention each banknote accumulator has an assignable denomination of banknote for accumulation and the assigned denomination is controlled by the computer control modules, the computer control module uses the forecasting model to determine whether a different assignment of assigned denominations of the accumulators is predicted to significantly improve the performance of the banknote validator/dispenser machine and changes the assigned denominations when significant improved performance is predicted. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for optimizing a currency validator/dispenser... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for optimizing a currency validator/dispenser Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for optimizing a currency validator/dispenser patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for optimizing a currency validator/dispenser or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Device for monitoring a validator Next Patent Application: Remote management of vending machines Industry Class: Check-actuated control mechanisms ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for optimizing a currency validator/dispenser patent info. 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